Catheter Pump Motor Assembly with Magnetic Drive and Vibration Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulatory support devices for acute heart failure, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps and rotary blood pumps, face challenges in providing sufficient flow rates minimally-invasively while avoiding hemolysis and thrombosis, and require higher rotational speeds that increase the risk of adverse outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A catheter pump with a motor-driven impeller assembly that allows for percutaneous insertion and operation, featuring a securement device to prevent disengagement and a damper to isolate motor vibrations, enabling high flow rates at reduced rotational speeds and minimizing adverse events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the impeller rotational speed is increased to provide sufficient flow rates, then the flow rate is improved, but the risk of hemolysis and thrombosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design parameters of the impeller and pump chamber to optimize flow generation at lower rotational speeds. By modifying the impeller geometry, pump chamber shape, and valve mechanisms, the system achieves high flow rates (4 Lpm or more) without requiring excessive rotational speeds that would cause hemolysis and thrombosis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces reliance on high-speed mechanical rotation by incorporating magnetic drive elements and optimized fluid dynamics. The magnetic coupling between the drive shaft and impeller, combined with a specially designed pump chamber, enables efficient blood pumping at lower speeds, replacing the conventional high-speed mechanical drive approach
2Productivity
If a fixed cross-section ventricular assist device is designed to provide near full heart flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the device size becomes too large for percutaneous insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pump system into separable components: a drive assembly that can be positioned externally or in a proximal location, and a pump chamber with impeller that is inserted percutaneously. This segmentation allows the high-flow pump chamber to be miniaturized for insertion while the drive mechanism remains separate, enabling percutaneous delivery of full heart flow rate support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional axial-flow design to a radial flow configuration where the impeller rotates within a compact pump chamber. This dimensional change in flow pattern allows the device to generate high flow rates in a much smaller footprint, making it suitable for percutaneous insertion through 15FR or 12FR incisions
3Productivity
If the motor is positioned at the distal portion of the pump to drive the impeller, then the flow rate is improved, but the complexity of percutaneous insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the motor into two functional parts: a drive magnet assembly that can be positioned externally or in a proximal drive shaft, and a driven magnet assembly coupled to the impeller at the distal portion. This segmentation allows the motor function to be distributed, reducing the complexity of inserting a complete motor assembly while still enabling effective impeller drive at the distal location
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catheter pump achieves full cardiac flow rates with reduced risk of hemolysis and thrombosis, providing effective mechanical circulatory support for acute heart failure through minimally-invasive insertion and operation, enhancing clinical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
A motor can be configured to allow for percutaneous insertion of the pump's operative device. The motor can be configured to drive an operative device, e.g., a impeller, at a distal portion of the pump
Implementation Method 2
a damper to isolate motor vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly that comprises a drive shaft and an impeller coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft. A driven assembly can be coupled to a proximal end of the drive shaft within a driven assembly housing. The catheter pump can also include a drive system that comprises a motor and a drive magnet coupled to an output shaft of the motor. The drive system can include a drive assembly housing having at least one magnet therein. Further, a securement device can be configured to prevent disengagement of the driven assembly housing from the drive assembly housing during operation of the pump.